Although "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief," Jesus' coming into this world was a manifestation of joy. His birth was preceded by sayings and conditions joyous in their prophecies. In the account in Matthew we read that "he shall save his people from their sins." What greater joy could come to a people lost in sin than to be saved therefrom? Again: "and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." What greater joy than to have "God with us"? This includes a conscious, understood, and demonstrable presence with us; not a far-off, uncertain, and unknown quantity; not a conjectural or theoretical personality; not a fitful coming and going; but an ever-present actuality, the actuality of all-pervading, infinite Love. This is the "Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is God [Good] with us." That presence which is Good, surely is a joyful presence.
In Luke we are told that "the angel came in unto her [Mary], and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." A joyous greeting and assurance truly! Mary was further told that her son Jesus should be great, and of his kingdom there should be no end.
How joyous also were the circumstances of his birth, even though a lowly manger was the place thereof. About the watchful shepherds, on that first Christmas morning nearly nineteen hundred years ago, the "glory of the Lord shone," and an angel assured them that he brought them "good tidings of great joy," and this joy should be "to all people," for there was born that day, in the city of David "a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
